Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-25

The professional man seemed to at
tach no importance 10 the point, but
expressed himself ready to take his
friends cease" Mr.. Albert Horny, It
may be remarked, could hardly be de-
scribed as dressed at this early hour ;
he wore no coat, had his waistcoat un-
buttoned for the greater case, and while
his body reclined in Gu easy chair, his
feet, thrust negligently III well crushed
but comfortable slippers, rested ele-
eantly on the table. In fact, MIR.
Horny was Just now bracing himself for
the professional duties of the day byan
afterbreakfast pipe and the perusal Of
the Sportsman newspaper.
"You're an agent, you know" com
menced the client, accepting n cigar
and lighting it, land | think you're
Just the man, Albert, to help me in this
quandary."
"rn Try, Dick" replied the agent.
"You may rely on the best advice l can
give yOu. Now, then, ont with it-pro-
fessional mems moments are valuable,
he added, proceeding with friendly
smile to replenish bis pipe.
The Catnestness and accuracy with
which Mr. Hammond detailed his case
showed how full Of confidence he was
in tho ability of the agent, and he
truthfully told everything down to his
meeting with the maiden the previous
night. The agent listened with deep
and sympathetic interest.
"1he case il just this, observed
Mr.. Horny. "Ihe old man is suddenly
inflated with ambition OF social
kind-wants to have swells in his house,
and to become IF be cam father-in-
law TO lord? Just so. Consequently
lie don't want you hanging about the
girl any longer. In my opinion, how
ever, you are entirely right IN your
view that you must not give her up
its plucky, that, Dick and what's
plucBy is right. So far SO good. Now
the question is, How areyou to get her,
and get fair and due portion of the
old mau's money as we.l?-for both
the girl and yourself are quite properly
agreed that without the cash the thing
is 10 so
mo go whatever. Quite so" said
the client.
81 gather further from what you
have told me-" continued the agent,
referring to the "notes" of the case
which he had made on the margin of
his newspaper, "that the old man IN
Australia has left your girl thirty out
Of sixty thousand, to be held by her
father in trust until she marries with
his consent or comes of age. Isn't that
eo?"
"Quite so. and Polly isn't much
more than eighteen.
That would involve nearly three
years to wait, in case the old party con-
tnuod obdurate. may, | suppose,
assume that waiting SO long AS that IS
quite out of the question ? "
"Ob, We needn't speak OF that at
al :" said the young man. "Pm
hanged If I'm going to wait, not for all
tic attorneys In London. Neither will
Polly, that's certain :"
"Sho's brick, which supplies mat
t0s," observed the agent with appro-
va. Then the question Is just this {;
How are you to get the girl aud tie
money as well 2
that's it, said Mr.. Hammond.
81, was a mistake o. Judgment, !
perceive, on the part Of the Australian
uncl,, that he didn't leave the girl her
Thirty thousand ut her own disposal ;
low wasn't it?"
Mr.. Hammond imprcssively init
mated his conviction that it WAS, and
thou asked the agent what he proposed
to advice. 10 this that gentleman re-
pied that it was ticklish matter,
which would require deal of profess
sional thought, but mean tine cor
daily counseled his client to stick to
the maiden like q man and never sur
londer, which Mir. Hammond promised
to do and then departed.
Having communicated to Miss Hin
ton q very encouraging account OF his
| inteTyiowWith his professional adviser
an account all the more encouraging III
/ that it menaced no legal proceedings
against the young lady's parent-seye-
ral days passed uneyentfully. Then
came n confidential note from Mr..
Horny, containing the cheerful ASST
rance that he had hopes OF making
matters square" for the lovers, but
enjOining the trying condition that
they must bo patient and ask 10 ques-
tions. Mr.. Horny's method was to be
secret and mysterious.
The lovers met by appointment
almost every evening, and for awhile
they were happy and very hopeful.
/ More than one secret flight they made,
too, during Mr.. Hinton's absence in the
city at his Office to view various obi
iou residences in the suburbs; spe-
cisly fayoriug those near to a railway
station, whence access TO London was
easy and frequent. But after three
weeks Mr.. Hammond began sometimes
TO be impatient and fretiul, and the
young LADY anxious, because, rs far as
they were able TO sec, there were Nc
visible signs of anything being done by
the agent. Dick Hammond stoutly
maintained against imaginary doubt
CIs) that Albert Horny was a good fei
low and full of bra. MS but still the sus
pense was worrying TO a youth Sc
Dressed in the matter OF time as Mr.
hammond was.
qhen another trouble arose. Thu
was IN connection with new client o
Mr.. j. intcn--a lady client-in whom, l
vss manif, st to Duck Hammond iron
Polly's manner, she suspected hel
father to have more than professions
interest. Polly described the lad,
Whom she had seen once or twice. a
very handsome and of fascinating man
ners. Intorrogated as to the lady
probable age. Polly was uncertain
She might be forty or more, bu
she was clearly one OF those womel
who enjoy the power, or possess th
secret, Of being young for an undu
lepeth of time. Polly was clearly dis
turbed bv the advent Of this lady, a
any girl Of her age and circumstance
would be at the prospect of a possibl
stepmother. Nor did Dick Hammond
regarding it from another point o
view, entertain the prospect with entir
couanimity, for who could foresee wha
additional difficulties n Stepmothe
might place in his and Polly's way2
seemed TO him, after due reflection, L
, DO clearly q point to be laid before hi
= professional adviser.
Waiting on Mr.. Horny for the pun
pose, that gentleman listened to til
new lease" with every appearance O
, lively interest, and seemed (to his eli
enN 10 derive unacconntable satisfaC